Operation Overlord

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AIRBORNE ALL THE WAY Sunday, December 7, 2008

Happy Pearl Harbor bombing, everyone!
Today, sixty seven years and nine hours and twenty five minutes ago, at 07 55, the first wave of Japanese dive bombers would be attacking.
Ten minutes later, the most famous ship on Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona, sank, hit in her forward magazine by a bomb.
The attack sank four U.S. Navy Battleships (two of which were raised and returned to service late in the war) and damaged four more. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, and one minelayer, destroyed 188 aircraft, and caused personnel losses of 2,402 killed and 1,282 wounded. The power station, shipyard, maintenance, and fuel and torpedo storage facilities, as well as the submarine piers and headquarters building (also home of the intelligence section) were not hit. Japanese losses were minimal, at 29 aircraft and five midget submarines, with 65 servicemen killed or wounded.
The Japs were a bit stupid (no offense to anyone) you know. They should've proceeded to bomb the shipyards and headquarters and everything. That would've made it a worse defeat for the US. And they were also unlucky. The aircraft carriers, important in any fleet, were out on an exercise. They never got the chance to bomb them.
So if they did destroy the carriers and the buildings, would the US Navy have recovered? Probably not in time if they still wanted to end the war by 1945.
But that isn't the most interesting thing about Pearl Harbor. The most debated thing is, Did the U.S. know about Pearl Harbor?
After reading a book on the subject, I have to say I think the US did. They deliberately ignored the warning bells - the silk ad, the coded message and the radar - and let the attack go on. Problem was, FDR was all for joining the war (or so I think) but the public was against it. So what they needed was a tragedy to spur them on. Pearl Harbor was the perfect tragedy.

Ah well. Enough with my rambling, as they say. Good night, good bye, and God Bless America. Although I'm not an American speechmaker or anything.

~Today in History~
1941: PEARL HARBOR BOMBED...need I say more?

~Quote of the day~
Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

- Obviously, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Don't blame me if I posted this before, because it's significant.

>>Forgotten by01:00